Instagram First Draft Explained: How to Use the New AI Video Editing Tool for Reels

Instagram has introduced a new in-app video editing tool called First Draft, designed to make creating Reels faster and easier. The feature uses machine learning to automatically turn raw footage into an initial video edit, helping creators avoid time-consuming manual trimming.

Currently available globally on iOS, First Draft can work with talking-head videos, multi-clip montages and daily vlogs.

What Is Instagram First Draft?

First Draft automatically analyses selected video clips and removes pauses, gaps and silent sections. This creates a rough cut within seconds, allowing creators to focus more on storytelling rather than repetitive editing.

Instagram says the initial edit can appear in around 10 seconds, depending on the footage.

How to Use First Draft on Instagram

Using the new Instagram video editing feature is relatively simple:

Step 1: Open Instagram and go to the Reels creation screen.

Step 2: Select multiple video clips from your gallery. You can also record new footage using Instagram's camera.

Step 3: Look for and tap the First Draft option.

Step 4: Instagram will analyse the footage and automatically create an edited timeline by removing unnecessary pauses and silent sections.

Step 5: Review the generated edit and make any changes before publishing your Reel.

You Can Still Edit the Video

First Draft does not permanently alter the original footage. The automated edits are non-destructive and reversible, allowing creators to restore trimmed frames, reorder clips, adjust timings or start the edit again.

This means users can use First Draft as a starting point rather than accepting Instagram's automated edit as the final version.

Is Instagram First Draft Available on Android?

For now, First Draft is available globally on iOS. Instagram has not confirmed when the feature will arrive on Android.

The tool could make Reels creation more accessible to casual users and creators by reducing the need for third-party editing apps.